Adjustable strap



Oct. 1, 1968 B. STEINBORN 3,403,430

ADJUSTABLE STRAP Filed Dec. 1, 1966 vmvroe Benme Szeirzbor't United States Patent Oflice 3,403,430 ADJUSTABLE STRAP Bennie Steinborn, 9410 N. Keystone Ave., Skokie, Ill. 60076 Filed Dec. 1, 1966, Ser. No. 598,353 1 Claim. (Cl. 24-206) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Means for adjusting the length of a strap for a musical instrument or other object to be supported on the body. The strap comprises two parts, one end of each part having means to secure the strap to the instrument. The other end of one of the parts has a plurality of pairs of marginal notches, the notches of each pair being disposed opposite one another. The other end of the other part has at least two slots located on a common longitudinal axis. The slots are of keyhole form having a width and length to permit passage of the one part portion fiatwise. The transverse distance between the notches of a pair is substantially the same as the larger portion of the slot in order that, following passage of the end of the first part through the slots the same may be twisted 90 to engage the sides of the notches with the margin of each slot.

This invention relates to adjustable straps. Specifically it has reference to a strap for a musical instrument, such as a guitar, as well as other objects to be supported on the persons body. As is recognized a strap of this class frequently includes means for incremental adjustment in length. The present invention has reference to improvements in such adjusting means.

A principal object of the invention is to provide adjusting means which may be manipulated with little effort but which, when set at a particular location, is far more positive than prior means intended for the same purpose.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the ensuing description which, taken with the .accompanying drawing, discloses a preferred form in which the invention may be embodied in practice.

In this drawing:

FIG. 1 is a generally perspective view showing a strap embodying the invention as assembled with a guitar;

FIG. 2 shows intermediate portions of the strap incorporating the adjusting means in co-joined relation; and

FIG. 3 shows the same portions as in FIG. 2, but separated.

Broadly regarded, the invention comprises the interruption of the strap at some convenient place along its length to provide two end portions and the provision, adjacent the free end of one portion, of a plurality of pairs of marginal notches, the members of each pair being transversely opposite. The free end of the other strap portion is provided with one or more longitudinally aligned slots, preferably of keyhole outline. The length of the slot is approximately equal to the width of the mating strap portion and its width is aproximately equal to the thickness of the said portion. Thus, by twisting either or both of the strap portions the notched portion may be passed through the slot and, upon reverse twisting, a selected pair of notches is engaged over the margin of the slot.

As a result a secure engagement is achievedthe joint being incapable of being shifted in either direction. It will be understood that the width of the slot will be substantially the same as the distance between the pair of notches in order to avoid unnecessary force in securing the two strap portions or transverse buckling or deformation of the same. In the case of a keyhole slot the circular portion will have a diameter essentially equal to the distance between a pair of notches. In practice it may 3,403,430 Patented Oct. 1, 1968 be preferred to employ two slots in order that a pair of notches may be engaged in each slot. By so doing the notched strap end may be passed through from one side of the slotted strap end, then returned through the other slot to the opposite side thereby making the joint doubly secure and neater in appearance. Disconnection for readjustment is obviously the reverse of the foregoing.

Adverting to the drawing there is shown, by way of example, a strap 10 for a guitar 11. The strap is provided with any suitable means 12 and 13 whereby the same may be attached to the instrument. Since such means may be any well-known expedient and constitute no part of the invention per se further explanation is deemed unnecessary.

At some convenient point along its length the strap 10 is interrupted to provide end portions 21 and 22 respectively. The portion 22 is provided with a plurality of pairs of marginal notches, e.g. 25 and 25a, the members of each pair being positioned transversely opposite, and the configuration of the slots being symmetrical about a center line, e.g. with straight, parallel sides. It will be understood that the depth of the notches in relation to the width of the portion 22 will be calculated to insure reliable engagement with the companion slots to be described without weakening the remaining width A. In order to minimize tearing, the bottom of the notches is desirably semicircular. The longitudinal spacing between the notches, viz, the pitch, may be of .any suitable dimension, depending on the desired increments, e.g. 1".

The strap portion 21 is provided with a slot, but preferably a pair of slots 28, 28a, which may be of uniform width or of keyhole shape, as illustrated. In the case where the width of the slot is uniform the same will be substantially equal to A. In the case of a keyhole slot the circular part 29 will be substantially equal to A, and the straight part 31 will be sufficiently wide to pass the thickness of the strap portion 22. Whether the slot is of uniform width or keyhole-shaped, the length thereof will be such as to pass the width of the strap portion 22.

From the foregoing it will have become apparent that, to engage the strap portions 21 and 22 the end 33, desirably tapered to provide lead, is passed through the slot 28 (FIG. 2) until a selected pair of notches 25, 25a are in position, whereupon the portion 22 is twisted to lock the notches into the slot 28. Thereupon the end 33 is passed through the slot 28a and twisted 90. Obviously, both strap portions may be twisted, each through, say, a 45 angle. The end result is as seen in FIG. 2. It will be observed that the pitch of the slots 28, 28a is essentially equal to the pitch of the pairs of notches or some multiple thereof in order that the completed joint may present a fiat-lying aspect.

While I have shown particular embodiments of my invention, it will be understood, of course, that I do not Wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made and I, therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall with the true spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A strap adjustable in length for supporting an object such as a musical instrument on the body comprising: first and second elongated parts, one end of each part having means for attaching the strap to the object, a portion of the other end of the first part having a plurality of pairs of marginal notches, the members of each pair being transversely opposite each other, each notch having essentially parallel sides and a substantially semicircular bottom, said pairs having uniform pitch in the longitudinal direction, the depth of each notch being such that the bottom of the respective members are a predetermined distance apart, the width of each notch being 3 4 substantially equal to the thickness of the second part, References Cited and the axis of each member of the pair being aligned, UNITED STATES PATENTS a portion of the other end of the second part having a pair of longitudinally-aligned slots of keyhole outline, said 2,646,940 7/ 1953 7011 slots being spaced apart by some multiple of said pitch, 5 236L785 11/1960 Toepferthe width and length of each slot being at least such as to 3,255,501 6/1966 Laguerrepass said end portion of the first part and the largest di- 3,261,100 7/1966 Q mension of the enlarged part of the slot measured trans- FOREIGN PATENTS ve rsely of the second part being substantially equal to 209,245 5/1960 Austria said predetermined distance, whereby the end portion of 10 905,708 12/1945 France the first part may be passed through two of the slots in 698,696 10/1953 Great Britain turn and twisted 90 to position said notches in overlying engagement with the margin of said enlarged portion. BERNARD A. GELAK, Primary Examiner. 

